Deportivo pip Real for second spot in Spain
Kevin Fylan
Deportivo Coruna snatched the runners-up spot in the Spanish first division on Friday as goals from Roy Makaay, Fran and Walter Pandiani earned them a 3-0 victory at home to a distracted Real Madrid.
Real needed at least a point to cling on to second place and make certain of direct qualification for next season's Champions League, whatever the result of the final against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.
They fell behind to a brilliant long-range strike from Makaay in first-half injury-time, though, and as they chased the game after the break Fran and Pandiani completed victory for a far superior Deportivo side.
The result seed Real drop to third place and means they will have to play the final Champions League qualifying round in August unless they succeed in lifting the European Cup for the ninth time in Glasgow next week.
Valencia, who wrapped up the league title with their win at Malaga last week, play their final game of the season at home to Real Betis on Saturday.
They currently have 72 points, four clear of Deportivo, who are now assured of second spot. Real, with 66 points, will finish the season third whatever the results of Saturday's matches.
Barcelona (63) need at least a point from their final game of the season at relegated Real Zaragoza to make certain of fourth spot and the final place in the Champions League qualifiers.
WEAKENED REAL
Real Madrid were without several key players, including Luis Figo, Fernando Hierro and Raul, for their final league outing.
The likes of Zinedine Zidane, Roberto Carlos and Steve McManaman did play but Vicente del Bosque's side clearly had their minds on next week's date with Bayer Leverkusen as they sat back and let Depor attack them at will.
The home side created a string of chances, as Juan Carlos Valeron was given time and space to direct the Depor midfield.
He missed two clear chances himself, firing wide each time, and also set up Sergio, Fran and Makaay for opportunities that were similarly wasted.
Depor finally made the breakthrough in the second minute of added time. Valeron was once again the architect, supplying a quick pass for Makaay as he broke forward on the right.
The Dutch forward took one touch before lifting the ball over Cesar with a perfect right-foot strike.
Real improved slightly after the break, with Zidane going close with one close-range effort but Deportivo moved further clear with a second classy goal.
This time Fran jinked in from the left touchline, played a simple one-two with Valeron and side-footed past the Real keeper.
Real were punished again in the final minute as Pandiani was left unmarked to tap in a cross from the right.
